#favoritealbumsof2017

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#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: The War On Drugs – 'A Deeper Understanding' ... When we reviewed 'A Deeper Understanding' from The War on Drugs back in August, we were captivated by the album's rich textures. The songs were new to us then, and we had only begun to appreciate the depth of the band's fourth studio album. We knew it was great, even calling it a "cinematic masterpiece". Now four months later, this album continues to resonate with its profound emotional impact. And at this point, we can confidently say The War on Drugs are future rock legends in the making, who will stand alongside Dylan and Springsteen as icons of American artistry. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #TheWarOnDrugs #ADeeperUnderstanding #cinematicrock #classicrock #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten

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#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: TORRES – 'Three Futures' ... Ever changing, the music of Mackenzie Scott – a.k.a. TORRES – is always fascinating. On 'Three Futures', TORRES once again smashes any classification and created a strange, intense, and compelling record that almost mirrors the evolution of St. Vincent. Her transformation is hallmarked by the electronic synth she’s slowly added more and more to her work. It’s fully present on “Skim” and the mechanical but spine-tingling title track. The record gets incredibly creepy on “Helen In The Woods” that is accentuated with a vocal delivery that approaches screaming. ' Three Futures' is intense, foreboding at other moments, and ethereal when you least expect it, just like the Mackenzie Scott herself. Each time Scott releases something new, she’ll turn everything you thought you knew about her music upside-down. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #TORRES #MackenzieScott #ThreeFutures #synthrock #indierock #singersongwriter #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten

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#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: Slowdive – 'Slowdive' ... After a 22-year hiatus, post-rock/shoegaze titans Slowdive delighted fans with their eponymous fourth studio album. After such a prolonged absence, it was refreshing to hear the familiar churn of Neil Halstead’s reverb-drenched guitar and Rachel Goswell’s airy vocals. It’s not just nostalgia that had all of us gushing about 'Slowdive', which arguably is the year’s very best, but the spellbinding and awe-inspiring artistry the quintet have delivered. While the first single “Star Roving” was a breath of fresh air, it was the exquisitely sedate “Sugar for the Pill” that took our breaths away. The dreamy duo of “Slomo” and “Don’t Know Why” further revealed that shoegaze giants had not lost an ounce of their incomparable talents, although the beautifully constructed “Everyone Knows” and the jamming “Go Get It” showed they had something new to offer. Through each of its eight songs, the content on 'Slowdive' is stunning and grand. It is 45 minutes of pure shoegaze/post-rock brilliance, which completely immerses you and has the power to take you to euphoric heights over and over again. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #Slowdive #shoegaze #postrock #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten

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#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: Sundara Karma – 'Youth Is Only Fun in Retrospect' ... For nearly three years, Sundara Karma have slowly risen from hidden gem to having a headlining slot at the Reading Festival. At the start of 2017, they finally released what many of us have long waited to hear – their debut album, 'Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect'. And like everything they’ve released, the record is an exhilarating and addictive experience. The stellar trio of “A Young Understanding”, “Loveblood”, and “Olympia” open the record and get the heart racing. The stupendous “Flame”, which was originally released in 2015, is (or should be) a classic. Infectious, anthemic, thoughtful, and endearing, Sundara Karma's debut is a grand achievement and the next step to them becoming another Arcade Fire or even this generation’s U2. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #SundaraKarma #YouthIsOnlyFuninRetrospect #indierock #indiepoprock #UKmusic #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten

[therevue]

#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: PUMAROSA – 'The Witch' ... For two years, PUMAROSA have thrilled listeners with their spectacular brand of cinematic, indie electro-rock. With each single released, it became apparent their music is equally made to buzz through the most secluded, underground night clubs and the cavernous confines of the world’s top theatres. This observation was validated when their debut album, 'The Witch', touched down in May. 'The Witch' is more than just an impressive first effort. It is a hurtling train that only has one objective – to pulverize everyone that comes in its path with songs like “Dragonfly”, “Snake”, “Red”, and the one-two punch of “Priestess“ and “Lion’s Den”. Each of track possesses a fury that cannot be stopped, just like the London band’s rising popularity. As such, get on the PUMAROSA train now because it is rapidly gaining speed and guaranteed to be filled to capacity very soon. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #PUMAROSA #TheWitch #indierock #cinematicrock #UKmusic #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten

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#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: Kevin Morby – 'City Music' ... Kevin Morby has firmly established himself as one of America’s great storytellers, and on his fourth effort, 'City Music', he has written his grandest fable. Loosely based around his time living in New York City, the LP is part confessional, such as on the classic rock 'n roll number, "Aboard My Train", and the extravagant title track. It is also the stories of the Big Apple's inhabitants, such as Mabel (“Come to Me Now”), a wanderer (“Downtown Lights”), and even The Ramones (“1234”). All these songs reveal the brilliance of Morby, who, like Dylan and Waits before him, puts a human face to music. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #KevinMorby #CityMusic #singersongwriter #folkrock #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten

[therevue]

#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: The National – 'Sleep Well Beast' ... It's rare that all of us here share unanimous approval of an album. But that's exactly what happened in September when American indie band The National shared their seventh LP, 'Sleep Well Beast'. This is a magnum opus for the Brooklyn-based quintet. It's a balanced, introspective collection that's more contemplative than brooding, though it's not a sunny album. "We're in a different kind of thing now," is the subtle pronouncement from frontman Matt Berninger on the album's lead single, "The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness." From the intro of faintly Beach Boys-esque harmonies on that track to the Radiohead-worthy tones on "Guilty Party," the band show their willingness to chart a new course. The rich textures created by the Dessner and Devendorf brothers are fuller and more nuanced than on their earlier works, a sign of their continued evolution. This is a gorgeous album that has been on constant rotation since its release. It may, in fact, become a Desert Island pick alongside their 'Boxer' and 'High Violet' masterpieces. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #TheNational #SleepWellBeast #indierock #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten

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#FavoriteAlbumsof2017: Nicole Atkins – 'Goodnight Rhonda Lee' ... On stage, Nicole Atkins is a superstar. Her voice is as powerful as any other artist. Her ability to write a pop song is only rivaled by her ability to write a rock ‘n roll number, which is almost rivaled by her ability to write a folk tune. She’s as versatile of a songwriter and performer as any, as revealed on her latest album, 'Goodnight Rhonda Lee', which digs deeply into blues, rock, soul, and even a little country. But as is the case with every Atkins’ record, her witty and intimate songwriting is what stands out, where she becomes Patsy Cline, Mavis Staples, and Aretha Franklin – sometimes separately and often all at once. As a result, the New Jersey native delivered what is perhaps her finest album. ... #Bestof2017 #bestalbumsof2017s #bestalbums #NicoleAtkins #GoodnightRhondaLee #popnoir #soul #folk #rocknroll #music #indiemusic #newmusic #newmusicdiscovery #pressplay #takealisten